News Summary
A family has filed a lawsuit against the Beverly Hills Unified School District, alleging negligence in addressing sexual harassment and assault incidents at El Rodeo Elementary School. The lawsuit claims district employees were indifferent to multiple cases of misconduct involving a student between November 2024 and March 2025. The family alleges that school officials failed to investigate the incidents, resulting in significant emotional distress for the victim. The case raises broader concerns about student safety and district accountability.
Beverly Hills—A family has initiated legal proceedings against the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), alleging that the district failed to adequately address incidents of sexual harassment and assault occurring at El Rodeo Elementary School. The lawsuit claims that employees of BHUSD displayed “willful and deliberate indifference” towards multiple instances of sexual misconduct involving one student predating the filing of the lawsuit.
The allegations detail that the reported harassment took place between November 2024 and March 2025. The student accused of the harassment is alleged to have engaged in inappropriate behaviors, such as touching the genitals of peers over clothing and directly on skin, making lewd gestures and comments, and displaying himself inappropriately. Furthermore, the accused reportedly coerced classmates into kissing and forcibly made other students become spectators to these acts while persistently harassing those targeted.
All reported incidents occurred on the campus of El Rodeo Elementary School. According to the family involved, BHUSD staff members, including former principal Sarah Kaber and Director of Student Services Benjamin Wardrop, were informed of these incidents when they transpired. Parents claim that they were not promptly updated on whether a formal investigation was carried out, and their subsequent requests for access to records related to the investigations were allegedly denied.
As the events unfolded, BHUSD employees purportedly indicated the existence of recordings pertaining to the incidents. They also claimed to be collaborating with the affected students’ families for support, adding to concerns about communication breakdowns within the district. One child involved has experienced significant emotional distress, including sleep disturbances and social withdrawal, since the incidents commenced.
In an effort to mitigate the situation, the school district assigned a chaperone to the student accused of the harassment. However, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of this supervision, as it lacked adequate enforcement to ensure a safe environment for the other students.
Despite the serious nature of the claims, BHUSD officials have asserted that none of the reported incidents meet the requirements for Title IX violations, suggesting that no formal discriminatory action occurred. Family attorneys are challenging this assertion, arguing that the lack of action from BHUSD represents negligence and a failure to protect students, which they assert amounts to intentional discrimination under federal law.
The family’s legal representatives describe the educational institution’s response as a “last resort” to achieve accountability, which they define as essential to ensure the safety of all children within the district. The lawsuit highlights a broader concern regarding the school district’s efficacy in preventing and addressing incidents of sexual harassment.
This lawsuit follows a controversial decision to reassign Kaber from her principal role to a classroom position, a move that sparked parental support for her tenure. Since then, Kaber has departed from BHUSD and accepted a new role as the Senior Director of Education at the Stephen Wise Temple and Schools.
As the legal proceedings unfold, BHUSD has declined to make any comments regarding the ongoing lawsuit. The implications of this litigation may have lasting effects on the school district’s policies and measures surrounding the protection of students against harassment and the accountability of its staff.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: Family Sues BHUSD Over Alleged Sexual Assaults at El Rodeo Elementary
- LA Times: Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct Get Stronger Protections
- Patch: CA Found Violation of Title IX in Clash Over Transgender Athletes
- New York Times: Title IX Controversies Under Trump Administration
- Google Search: Sexual Harassment in Schools
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
